North Pembrokeshire Coast Walk

7 days

from

£749

View Dates & Prices

Walking & Trekking

Activity level:

Moderate

Trip code:

W06NP

Ways to Travel:

Self-Guided Holidays, Private Group Adventures

Activity:

Self-Guided Walking

Group size:

1–6

Ages:

12+

This self-guided twin centre walking holiday takes you on a discovery of the dramatic yet untouched cliffs of the northern section of the Pembrokeshire Coast Trail.

The Pembrokeshire Coastal Path stretches a staggering 299km along the South Wales coastline from St Dogmaels in the north to Amroth in the south. The area was first designated a National Park in 1952 with the famous path itself becoming the first national trail in Wales when it opened in 1970. The trail makes for incredibly scenic hiking, with contrasting landscapes ranging from the wild remote headlands of the north to the legendary castle ruins and rock sea pillars of the south. Dotted along the coastline you'll find traditional fishing villages barely touched by tourism, tiny hidden coves and pristine sandy beaches.

This self-guided twin centre walking holiday takes you on a discovery of the dramatic yet untouched cliffs of the northern section of the Pembrokeshire Coast Trail. You begin in Newport, a small yet vibrant town flanked by Carningli mountain and the Nevern estuary with its gorgeous sandy shores. It's the perfect base to explore the northernmost trail - the most challenging section of the Coastal Path but also the most rewarding. Follow roller coaster cliff top routes, dipping in and out of small coves, with guillemots, fulmars and razorbills soaring overhead - and with luck, catch a glimpse of bottlenose dolphins too! From Newport, you go to charming St David's, Britain's smallest city and the birthplace of Wales' patron saint. Our walks here are more gentle, taking you over undulating cliffs to sandy beaches, pretty coves and sleepy harbour villages. Private transfers are provided to and from the walks in order to fulfil the walking itinerary.

Your accommodation has been carefully picked to ensure the very best of Welsh hospitality, with warm welcomes, full Welsh breakfasts and comfortable ensuite rooms guaranteed. You stay on a bed and breakfast basis throughout so there is ample opportunity to take advantage of the cosy pubs and excellent restaurants the region has to offer.

Highlights

Exhilarating walking along the northern section of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Trail
Spot bottlenose dolphins, seals and a vast variety of sea birds
Britain's smallest city, St David's - 12th century cathedral and Bishops' Palace
Fascinating geology: the Witches' Cauldron, the Cradle and Gewni Island
Sleepy coves, verdant valleys, rugged sandstone cliffs, untouched headlands, immaculate beaches

Key information

6 nights twin-centre accommodation in 3 and 4 star hotels
All breakfasts
Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
Route directions and maps
Luggage transfers between hotels
Walking transfers
Map case

Countries visited: United Kingdom

What's included

6 nights twin-centre accommodation in 3 and 4 star hotels
All breakfasts
Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
Route directions and maps
Luggage transfers between hotels
Walking transfers
Map case

What's not included

Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement)
Solo traveller supplement (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)

Call for general departures:

020 8772 3943

Call for private group trips:

020 8772 3874

Live Chat >

Request a Brochure >

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

Days of Walking & Trekking

Day by day breakdown

Day 2 25.0km/15.5miles

Day 3 20.0km/12.5miles

Day 4 12.0km/7.5miles

Day 5 12.0km/7.5miles

Day 6 12.0km/7.5miles

At Exodus we believe in the power of Responsible Travel.

Every time we travel, we are part of a global movement that creates jobs, builds more sustainable societies, encourages cultural understanding and safeguards common natural and cultural heritage. To learn more about what Responsible Travel means to Exodus click here…

On this trip in North Wales, the accommodation we use provides vital jobs to locals and uses locally sourced ingredients where possible to minimise the carbon footprint. Also the Manorhaus hotels in Ruthin and Llangollen keep single use plastics to a minimum in their hotels, plus all toiletries within the rooms are handmade locally from natural ingredients and provided in refillable containers. The West Arms pride themselves on working with very local food producers, so the meals in their excellent restaurant have a very low carbon footprint and are often organic.

Our local agent works with a carbon offset project (Forest Carbon) to create new native woodland within the UK, so all of their trips have some form of carbon offset (whilst recognising it's not a solution, they believe it's a positive step while they work on carbon reduction).

Itinerary

Expand all

Newport

St Davids

Day 1

Arrive in Newport

There's time to settle into your cosy B&B before your briefing with local partner, Ewan and Laura.
Day 2

St Dogmaels to Newport

We take you to the pretty riverside village of St. Dogmaels, the official starting point of the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path. Today's walk is challenging with frequent steep climbs but you're rewarded with spectacular views over to Cardigan Island. At Ceibwr Bay, pass the Witches' Cauldron (Pwll-y-Wrach), a blow hole connected to the sea by a narrow passage, with a nearby stream disappearing underground to empty into the 'cauldron'.

Meals included: Breakfast
Day 3

Fishguard to Newport

Setting off from picturesque Fishguard, it's another wonderful walk today, following an undulating path into secret coves backed by surprisingly verdant valleys. The cliffs on this section may not be as high as the previous day's but they are just as untamed and rugged. There's the option to extend the walk to Dinas Head - the breeding ground for herring gulls, razorbills and guillemots.

Meals included: Breakfast
Day 4

Abereiddy to Whitesands

Start the day in Abereiddy and the acquamarine waters of the Blue Lagoon, a disused quarry pit flooded by the sea. Then it's exhilarating walking over remote and panoramic cliffs to the open heathland of St David's Head, an atmospheric headland composed of volcanic rocks, prehistoric remains and craggy tor topped hills. We meet you at the beach of the appropriately named Whitesands and take you to delightful St David's, home for the next 3 nights.

Meals included: Breakfast
Day 5

Whitesands to St Davids

Follow the path from Whitesands Bay to St Justinian's, a small harbour with its lifeboat stations dramatically nestled in the low cliff face. There are spectacular views of Ramsey island as far as Pen Dal-aderyn, the most western point in Wales, then the vast expanse of St Bride's Bay dramatically opens up before you.

Meals included: Breakfast
Day 6

Solva to St Davids

After a private transfer to the pretty harbour village of Solva, follow the Solva River to the coast and the stunning natural sea arch at Gewni Island. There are tremendous views of unspoilt cliffs and beyond, to the islands of Skomer and Skokholm. Continue to St Non's Bay and the panoramic ruins of St Non's Chapel, said to be the birthplace of St David himself, before returning to the city for your final night.

Meals included: Breakfast
Day 7

Leave St Davids

Depart St Davids after breakfast

Meals included: Breakfast

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

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Essential Info

Visas

United Kingdom

UK passport holders do not need visas for this trip. Other nationalities should check with the relevant embassies.

For further Brexit travel advice please visit https://www.abta.com/tips-and-advice/brexit-advice-for-travellers

Vaccinations

United Kingdom

No vaccinations are obligatory.

Eating and Drinking

All Breakfasts are included throughout.

Try out traditional local country pubs for lunch or enjoy a picnic in the countryside.
Sample local cuisine such as cawl, Welsh rarebit, laverbread, Welsh cakes, bara birth and the Glamorgan sausage. These dishes are regarded as symbols of Welsh food.

Weather

Summers in Wales tend to be slightly cooler than you might expect and winters can be milder, especially on the coast, while higher, upland areas have more chance of harsher (and colder) weather conditions. The warmest months to visit are from June through to August, although temperatures start to warm up around April and remain pleasant until October time. We advise you take waterproofs as rain / showers can occur at any time of year.

Is this trip for you?

Walking Conditions

Classification: Self-Guided
Activity Level: 3 (Moderate)
Average daily distance: 16km (10miles)
No. of days walking: 6
Terrain and route: Walks on this holiday can be demanding with frequent, very steep sections that follow well-marked routes.
There is an option for a shorter walk on Day 3 as described in the itinerary.
Vehicle Support: This is a self-guided trip for those who prefer to walk independently, but with our assistance to take out the stress of the logistics and planning. We arrange your accommodation, provide you with route directions so that you can walk at your own pace, while your bags are transported from one hotel to the next.

Transfers will be used to get you to the start of some walks.

It is important that you are happy following route directions, we make these as accurate as possible and they are regularly checked.

As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There maybe others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. The routes directions contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the local agent is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service.

This is a self-guided tour, as such there will be no group or tour leader and you are free to complete the walks at your own pace. We have suggested that 8yrs is the minimum age for this trip, but as it is self-guided and you will be leading your own family we will ultimately leave this decision up to you.

For those wanting to travel on their own there is a single supplement for the accommodation and where there is only one "solo" traveller on a particular departure there is also a solo traveller supplement.

Call for general departures:

020 8772 3943

Call for private group trips:

020 8772 3874

Live Chat >

Request a Brochure >

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

Accommodation

Hotels

CNAPAN B&B, NEWPORT
The family run Cnapan in the centre of Newport takes its unusual name from a Celtic form of medieval football which was played every Shrove Tuesday between the men of Newport and the men from neighbouring Nevern. Set in a traditional Welsh cottage, this pretty B&B boasts lovely sunny gardens to the rear, a cosy lounge with wood burning stove and a licensed bar. The recently renovated bright and airy bedrooms all come with ensuite bathrooms with shower.
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.

TY BOIA, ST DAVID'S
You're guaranteed a warm Irish-Welsh welcome by owners Steve and Orla at the Ty Boia B&B, with hot drinks and freshly baked treats at check in! Just a stone's throw from St David's famous cathedral and the shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants in this tiny city, the breakfasts here are of great repute locally, with Steve and Orla making their own preserves, marmalade, seasonal compote, soda bread and Glamorgan Sausages for their guests.The bedrooms here are contemporary and comfortable, and decorated with local woollen fabrics and artwork.
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.

Call for general departures:

020 8772 3943

Call for private group trips:

020 8772 3874

Live Chat >

Request a Brochure >

Trip Notes

Click on the button below for detailed Trip Notes containing all the particulars about this trip, including kit lists and practical information.

Note: these can vary by departure; you can check out the specific Trip Notes for your chosen adventure on the dates & prices page.

View Trip Notes

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Dates & Prices

Please provide as much information as possible below so we can best help with your holiday requirements.

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Please call one of our experts to discuss your private group requirements on 0203 993 4668, or fill out the form below and we will give you a call back.

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An overview of flight options

Exodus is committed to making joining our tours as easy as possible, wherever you live. We generally only block book seats from London, but this certainly does not mean that you need to fly from there. Depending on the route and airlines available, there will usually be various options available for those who want to fly from their local airport.

This page aims to provide a useful overview of the options available to our clients. However, the best flight arrangements should be tailored to your personal requirements, so please contact our Sales team for expert advice.

What kind of options do I have ?

1. We can book for you: Flights from anywhere in the world - not via London

Depending on the route, this may be direct or via an overseas hub like Amsterdam, the Middle East or elsewhere. On short haul routes there may be direct flights with low cost airlines, charter flights or scheduled airlines. Exodus can book most, but not all, of these for you. The most appropriate airline may be different to that which we use for the group flight from London, but many people now travel on different airlines and meet up with their fellow passengers at the destination.

Pros	Cons
May be the most direct route Often the extra fare compared to the London flight is minimal. As you will be in the hands a single airline for your entire journey, the airline will be responsible for your bags and your connections.	You may not be able to join the group transfers. However, we can usually arrange private transfers, or book your flights to try and coincide with the group transfers. See notes on transfer arrangements below.

2. We can book for you: Connecting flights from your local airport to London

Exodus can book connecting flights to London so you can join the group flight there. Connecting times will be followed according to airline advice, or as requested by clients. There are two types of fares we can use for this option: a 'through-fare' or a 'published fare'.

a) A 'through-fare' is where you will be in the main airline's care throughout. You change planes, but your bags are checked all the way through to your final destination.

b) A 'published fare' ticket is completely seperate from your onward ticket from London. It is usually cheaper than a through-fare but will need to be paid for and issued as soon as it is booked. This can be a problem if your tour has not yet reached minimum numbers. On 'published fares' neither airline is aware that you have connecting flights, so Exodus is responsible for timing your connection, not the airlines involved. The tickets are also usually non changeable and non refundable.

Pros	Cons
Depending on the fare type, Exodus or the airline is responsible for flight connections.	Through fare tickets can be expensive. On a published fare, tickets must be issued immediately; tickets on published fares can be very difficult to change if onward flight times change; bags are not checked though to your final destination. Published fares are non-refundable.

3. Booking some or all of the flights yourself

You can also book connecting air travel yourself, either to London, or all the way to the start point. There may be certain airlines or routes we don't have access to, so this is always an option. However, if you make your own travel arrangements you become liable for any delays, cancellations or missed connections, and Exodus is not required to offer refunds if you have trouble reaching the start of your trip.

Pros	Cons
You might find cheaper fares, or routes not available to Exodus.	You are responsible for any delays or missed connections, and the cost of the tour is not protected should you miss your flight be cancelled.

Notes on transfer arrangements

Sometimes it is possible to travel on a different airline to the group flight from London. Where this is the case, we need to think about ensuring you meet up with the group with minimum extra cost and hassle.

On certain trips, it is easy to arrive on a different flight and still meet the group at the hotel with time in hand. We can usually arrange private transfers (at extra cost) or offer advice on taking a taxi to the start hotel.
On other trips (especially in Europe), the transfer meets the group flight and then travels some distance to the first night's accommodation. Where this is the case, our Sales team will try to arrange flights that arrive before (and depart after) the group. However, we do have to make it clear in your final documentation that if your flights are delayed, the transfer cannot wait for you. While Exodus or our local operators will do what we can to help you reach the start point of the tour, any additional costs must be paid by the client.